*** Special Offer: For a £5 discount onHistoric Houses membership use code STEW05 ***
Membership of Historic Houses gives free entry to over 300 heritage sites in the UK, including some of the finest stately homes in the country and most impressive gardens. However the majority of these are closed during the winter period from November through to February.
Highcliffe Castle
The good news for hardy winter travellers is that about 60 sites are fully or partly open during this time. But which ones are they?
I’ve researched region by region which sites are normally open during the winter period and below are the results.
However, before travelling, please check with the Historic Houses website, or better still directly with the website of the property you intend to visit, as opening times can change at short notice and sometimes only the gardens and grounds are open rather than the whole property.
Also please check whether you need to book a time slot before visiting.
South West
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
The gardens/grounds are open at a several sites including Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Castle Hill Gardens and Lydiard House.
A couple of castles are also open during much of the winter period: Highcliffe Castle and Lulworth Castle.
London and South East
Several exceptional gardens are open in this region during the winter period, including Englefield House Gardens, Painshill Park, Waddesdon Manor Gardens and West Dean Gardens.
A few houses can be visited including Chawton House and Michelham Priory. For something a bit different, try the Cowper & Newton Museum, which is open during December.
The gardens/grounds are open during the winter period at Burton Agnes Hall and Ripley Castle. The houses are also open on some days at Burton Constable Hall and Sewerby Hall (plus the zoo). The house and gardens at Wentworth Woodhouse are open throughout the year.
North West and Isle of Man
Gardens open in this region include Morland House Gardens and Milntown Gardens on the Isle of Man.
For something a bit different, then the massive ruins of Lowther Castle and its gardens are well worth a visit.
North East
Raby Castle
Visitors to this region during the winter period are spoiled by having three magnificent sites to visit, Bamburgh Castle, Ushaw House & Chapel and Raby Castle (gardens and parkland). Additionally Preston Tower house and gardens are open.
Wales
Two houses and gardens are open for most of the winter period: Plas Brondanw and Picton Castle.
Scotland
The gardens/grounds are open at a few sites including Gordon Castle Walled Garden, Scone Palace and Abbotsford. For something a bit different, then the spectacular, ruined cliff-top Dunnottar Castle might appeal.
Northern Ireland
Sorry, nether of the two sites is open during the winter period.
In Conclusion
Lulworth Castle
If visiting gardens and grounds, rather than houses, is your forte, then there are plenty of Historic Houses sites still open during the winter period. There are not that many houses open, but those that are open include some of the finest properties in the country.
If you intend to visit one of these properties, then it is worth thinking about taking out membership of Historic Houses. Your year long membership will of course also cover you for the spring/summer/autumn period when all the sites should be open.
Individual membership is £68 a year with each additional person costing £60 a year. However if you click on Historic Houses and then enter our unique code STEW05 at ‘Add discount code’, then new members will receive a £5 discount. This also applies if you wish to give annual membership as a gift.
Once again, it is stressed that before travelling you should check directly with the website of the property you intend to visit about their current opening times and whether you need to book in advance.
To access these special rates, Under 'Rate Preference' select 'Senior Discount'Click on 'Special Rates' select 'Senior Rate'.• See discounts also at Best Western, Marriott, Radisson, Ramada andAccor
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• For a £5 discount on new membership, use code STEW05 on the Historic Houses website.
• To get a £10 National Trust gift card with membership by direct debit, click on National Trust.
Historic Houses – Winter Openings 2025-2026
*** Special Offer: For a £5 discount on Historic Houses membership use code STEW05 ***
Membership of Historic Houses gives free entry to over 300 heritage sites in the UK, including some of the finest stately homes in the country and most impressive gardens. However the majority of these are closed during the winter period from November through to February.
The good news for hardy winter travellers is that about 60 sites are fully or partly open during this time. But which ones are they?
I’ve researched region by region which sites are normally open during the winter period and below are the results.
However, before travelling, please check with the Historic Houses website, or better still directly with the website of the property you intend to visit, as opening times can change at short notice and sometimes only the gardens and grounds are open rather than the whole property.
Also please check whether you need to book a time slot before visiting.
South West
The gardens/grounds are open at a several sites including Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Castle Hill Gardens and Lydiard House.
A couple of castles are also open during much of the winter period: Highcliffe Castle and Lulworth Castle.
London and South East
Several exceptional gardens are open in this region during the winter period, including Englefield House Gardens, Painshill Park, Waddesdon Manor Gardens and West Dean Gardens.
A few houses can be visited including Chawton House and Michelham Priory. For something a bit different, try the Cowper & Newton Museum, which is open during December.
East Midlands
The gardens and grounds at Belvoir Castle and Elsham Hall are open throughout the winter period.
Eastern
The Manor Gardens, Hemingford Grey are open every day.
West Midlands
Not much open in this region other than the grounds of Stoneleigh Abbey by the River Avon and the Arts & Crafts style Winterbourne House and Garden in Birmingham.
Yorkshire
The gardens/grounds are open during the winter period at Burton Agnes Hall and Ripley Castle. The houses are also open on some days at Burton Constable Hall and Sewerby Hall (plus the zoo). The house and gardens at Wentworth Woodhouse are open throughout the year.
North West and Isle of Man
Gardens open in this region include Morland House Gardens and Milntown Gardens on the Isle of Man.
Some houses are also open including Bramall Hall, Lytham Hall and Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in Manchester.
For something a bit different, then the massive ruins of Lowther Castle and its gardens are well worth a visit.
North East
Visitors to this region during the winter period are spoiled by having three magnificent sites to visit, Bamburgh Castle, Ushaw House & Chapel and Raby Castle (gardens and parkland). Additionally Preston Tower house and gardens are open.
Wales
Two houses and gardens are open for most of the winter period: Plas Brondanw and Picton Castle.
Scotland
The gardens/grounds are open at a few sites including Gordon Castle Walled Garden, Scone Palace and Abbotsford. For something a bit different, then the spectacular, ruined cliff-top Dunnottar Castle might appeal.
Northern Ireland
Sorry, nether of the two sites is open during the winter period.
In Conclusion
If visiting gardens and grounds, rather than houses, is your forte, then there are plenty of Historic Houses sites still open during the winter period. There are not that many houses open, but those that are open include some of the finest properties in the country.
If you intend to visit one of these properties, then it is worth thinking about taking out membership of Historic Houses. Your year long membership will of course also cover you for the spring/summer/autumn period when all the sites should be open.
Individual membership is £68 a year with each additional person costing £60 a year. However if you click on Historic Houses and then enter our unique code STEW05 at ‘Add discount code’, then new members will receive a £5 discount. This also applies if you wish to give annual membership as a gift.
Once again, it is stressed that before travelling you should check directly with the website of the property you intend to visit about their current opening times and whether you need to book in advance.
A similar pattern of reduced winter openings also applies to English Heritage and the National Trust, see: English Heritage and National Trust – Winter Openings.
UPDATED OCTOBER 31st, 2025 by STEVE HANSON. The photographs were taken by BARBARA HANSON.